Question 1

Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?

Accepted Answer

Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance, as tours often sell out quickly. The cost is $69 per person. We recommend booking well ahead of time to secure your preferred date and time. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the “Book a Tour” button on any page of our site.
If a tour is sold out, you can join our waiting list by filling out the form on the “Contact Us” page. If you don’t see a tour date that works for you, please reach out—we may be able to add additional dates to our schedule.

Please note that tours with fewer than 4 guests will be rescheduled or refunded.

Question 2

How do you handle dietary restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Our tasting menu consists of pre-selected samples, and we are unable to accommodate specific dietary restrictions for all stops. However, we do provide some vegetarian and gluten-free options on the Downtown Tucson Tour. Please be aware that you may not be able to try every sample at each location.

For certain dietary restrictions, an upcharge may apply to cover the extra costs of sourcing special items. In some cases, we need to arrange a separate entrée for guests with allergies or specific requirements.

When booking your tour, you’ll have the option to select accommodations for gluten-free or vegetarian preferences, with an associated upcharge to account for these additional arrangements.

Question 3

Can you handle private tours or corporate events?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer private tours on any of our three routes. For corporate events, we can customize a tour to suit your group’s needs, including arranging transportation from your hotel to downtown. To learn more or book a private tour, please email us at info@foodtourstucson.com ()or add your contact information on the contact us page.

Question 4

How much is food served on the tour?

Accepted Answer

During the Tucson Food Tour, most participants find there’s enough food that lunch afterwards isn’t necessary. The tour combines generous food and drink tastings with breaks to explore Tucson’s architecture, culture, and history, leaving most guests comfortably full by the end.

Question 5

How can I purchase a gift certificate?

Accepted Answer

Share the gift of food and fun! Gift certificates are the perfect present for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. To purchase, simply click the "Gift Card" button on the homepage. You can choose to print the gift certificate or email it directly to the recipient.

Question 6

What days do your tours take place?

Accepted Answer

Our regular tour season runs from September through May, allowing us to avoid Tucson’s high summer temperatures and monsoon storms. We offer 2-3 tours per week, highlighting four unique routes: Downtown, 4th Avenue/Main Gate Square, Progressive Dinner Tour, and the Mural and History Tour. Tour days vary weekly, so please check our schedule for available dates.

During the summer months, we offer a modified Progressive Dinner Tour designed to keep everyone comfortable in the heat. This shorter route includes four stops but still features at least 13 tastings and a specialty margarita, ensuring guests enjoy plenty of food and drink despite the streamlined format.

Question 7

What is your policy on late arrivals?

Accepted Answer

Our tour guides are instructed to begin the tour on time, as our schedule is carefully coordinated with our restaurant partners. Each stop is timed to ensure a smooth experience for all participants. Additionally, our tour guides work within specific time frames and often lead multiple tours in a single day.

Late arrivals can disrupt the experience for other guests, the restaurants, and our guides. For this reason, we are unable to offer refunds or rescheduling for participants who arrive late. We encourage everyone to plan accordingly to ensure a seamless and enjoyable tour.

Question 8

Can you refund or reschedule tours?

Accepted Answer

All ticket purchases are final and binding. Tickets cannot be refunded or rescheduled, as your spot is reserved exclusively for you at the event. Last-minute cancellations prevent us from offering your spot to other guests. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.

Question 9

Is it appropriate to bring children on the food tour?

Accepted Answer

The Tucson Food Tour may not be suitable for all children, especially those with limited attention spans, as the tour involves a lot of standing and walking and can feel lengthy for some. However, if you have a young foodie in your life who enjoys trying new things and learning about history, this could be a great fit for them! Please note that we do not offer discounted tickets for children.

Question 10

How much walking is involved?

Accepted Answer

With the exception of the Progressive Dinner Tour, all tours cover approximately 2 miles of walking, with breaks every couple of blocks at historic sites and restaurants where guests can sit and enjoy a bite. While there are opportunities to rest, participants should be prepared to spend the majority of the tour standing or walking.

Question 11

Does the tour guide accept gratuities?

Accepted Answer

If you enjoyed the tour, gratuities are greatly appreciated! In the service industry, a standard tip is 20%. Thank you for your support!

Question 12

Can I shop during the Tucson Food Tour?

Accepted Answer

We kindly ask that you wait to shop until after the food tour to ensure we stay on schedule. You’re welcome to revisit your favorite locations or stores at the end of the tour. Our tasting adventures are carefully timed so that we arrive at each location when the food is freshly prepared for participants, making it important to stick to the schedule. Thank you for understanding!

Question 13

Are any beverages served on the Tucson Food Tour?

Accepted Answer

Except for the Progressive Dinner Tour and Brewery Tour, only water will be provided at each food stop. Guests will have the option to order and purchase alcoholic beverages at select locations. Please note that alcohol is served on the Progressive Dinner and Brewery Tours, so participants must be 21 or older to join these routes.

Question 14

Does the food tour end at the same place we meet?

Accepted Answer

No, the tour does not end at the same location as the meeting point. However, your guide will be happy to escort you back to the starting location if needed, or you can choose to stay and explore where the tour concludes. The ending point is conveniently located near the starting point, so you won’t be far from where you parked.

Question 15

What restaurants will we visit during the culinary tasting?

Accepted Answer

Our tastings feature some of the best eateries in the area, offering a variety of delicious cuisines that range from trendy new spots to beloved local classics. While specific locations may vary and are subject to change, we share videos of our tours and partner restaurants on our social media pages to give you a glimpse of the samplings you can expect.

Question 16

Is there parking near the tour meeting point?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are various parking lots and garages located near the meeting point. Click this link for a map of Downtown parking. The Depot Plaza Garage and the Centro Garage will be the closest.  https://www.downtowntucson.org/get-around/parking/(https://www.downtowntucson.org/get-around/parking/)

Question 17

What happens if it rains?

Accepted Answer

The tour operates rain or shine. Living in Arizona, we enjoy plenty of sunshine throughout the year, so weather-related cancellations are rare. While we don’t experience much rain except during monsoon season, in the unlikely event that the tour guide needs to cancel, ticket holders will have the option to reschedule for a later date.